UZUMI

Real Name: Uzumi

Identity/Class: Human;
    Hyborian era;
    originally a native of the Silver Isles south of Kush

Occupation: Former chieftain of the Silver Isles

Group Membership: The tribe of the Silver Isles

Affiliations: The Bird-Riders;
    formerly M'Gora

Enemies: Bêlit, Mound-Dwellers, N'Yaga

Known Relatives: None

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: The Silver Isles, south of Kush

First Appearance: Conan the Barbarian I#59 (February, 1976)

Powers/Abilities: Uzumi had some skill as a warrior and as a chief of a tribe.

    He carried a shield and wield a scepter with a miniature skull on its end.

    He tended to use his authority as a club.

History:
(Conan the Barbarian I#59 (fb) - BTS) <"Years and years" ago in relation to the flashback that was three years before the main story circa 10,000 BC> - The Mound-Dwellers stole the silvery right eye of the carven image of Dagon from within the village of the tribe that included the Bird-Riders.

(Conan the Barbarian I#59 (fb) - BTS) - N'Yaga fled from Shem with Bêlit, sparing her from her father's fate, and escaped aboard the Tigress, which he had ordered ever-ready to sail. Traveling south of Kush, they arrived in the Silver Isles..

    Although the others from the Tigress were slain by Bird-Rider warriors atop their birds-that-run, N'Yaga got the warriors' attention via using the priests of Shem's fire-casting powders. The warriors recalled N'Yaga's name, and he told them that Bêlit was the daughter of the death goddess Derketa.

(Conan the Barbarian I#59 (fb)) - Chief Uzumi denounced N'Yaga's words as those of the two-tongued serpent, but when his warriors asked if they dare risk the wrath of Derketa whose daughter legends said would be pale from dwelling in dark halls where sunlight never shined, Uzumi -- perhaps also influenced by the rightful concern that N'Yaga's closed fist contained more fire-powder -- conceded. He ordered that both N'Yaga and Bêlit would dwell among them as long as they broke no tabu nor failed no ritual of life.

(Conan the Barbarian I#59 (fb) - BTS) - Keeping a low profile and notably keeping Bêlit out of Uzumi's path, N'Yaga raised Bêlit, who proved to be a powerful warrior.

    N'Yaga correctly felt that Uzumi wished the worst for Bêlit and that advancing age gave Uzumi neither wisdom or compassion.

    M'Gora argued that no other seeker of manhood had ever been set on such an impossible task, Uzumi reminded M'Gora that he was but a sub-chieftain and overruled his objection. He further noted that this should be a simple task for one who, N'Yaga said, was the daughter of Derketa herself. Uzumi then, proclaiming his word to be undisputed law in these rites, insisted that Bêlit must attempt the feat or die, here and now. Bêlit accepted the challenge.

(Conan the Barbarian I#59 (fb) - BTS) - Despite N'Yaga's advice that she flee this mission of certain death, Bêlit insisted on completing the mission, and N'Yaga secretly slipped a vial of liquid silver (see comments) into her side-pouch so that she might use it to replace the shiny Eye she would steal from the Mound-Dwellers.

    While Bêlit was within the mound, a solar eclipse occurred, turning the light of day to pitch darkness.

(Conan the Barbarian I#59 (fb)) - Uzumi proclaimed that Derketa having blotted out the sun to show her displeasure at their foolishness in considering Bêlit to be a goddess. Accusing N'Yaga of having lied to them, Uzumi ordered N'Yaga's death as well and asked if any dared dispute him. M'Gora looked to N'Yaga for a sign, but a despairing N'Yaga, believing Bêlit dead (and frustrated with himself for his failure to recall the eclipse predicted by the Shemites), gave no sign.

    However, Bêlit then returned with the Eye of Dagon, but warned her tribesman that the Mound-Dwellers may be hot on her trail. Thinking quickly, Uzumi announced that even in restoring the silver eye, she brought disaster to them, as in the darkness, the Mound-Dwellers may attack them.

    As Uzumi ordered the tribesmen to slay both Bêlit and N'Yaga, however, N'Yaga used his fire-powder to cause the fearful tribesmen to fall back, allowing Bêlit to rush forward and seize Uzumi by the neck. She considered slitting his throat, but -- as the ground began to tremble from the approaching Mound-Dwellers -- N'Yaga advised her to stop and think, and she would see a better way, although she would need to hurry.

    With Bêlit's knife at his throat, Uzumi told her that he believed that she was the daughter of Derketa, but she told him that was no longer enough. Having stolen the Eye without using the silver, Bêlit poured the silver down Uzumi's throat, telling him to drink deeply and it would fill his gullet instead of cold hard steel.

    The Mound-Dwellers then erupted from the ground and -- as Bêlit had leapt away with the Eye of Dagon still in her pouch -- they apparently sensed the silver within Uzumi, and they dragged him back to their lair (despite his futilely clawing at the ground), apparently planning to tear the silver from his body.

Comments: Created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema.

    Liquid silver might seem to be mercury, but N'Yaga called it a "potion of purist silver." Perhaps this was some magical liquid form of silver that existed in the Hyborian era.

    This profile was completed 11/11/2024, but its publication was delayed as it was intended for the Appendix 25^th anniversary 's celebratory event.

Profile by Snood.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Uzumi should be distinguished from:

• other "Uzumi" characters, group, items, events, race or places...
  

First posted: 09/18/2026
Last updated: 11/11/2024

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

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